Hong Kong Democracy Movement

201920202021

2019

Feburary

  • Chantongkai was murdered
    • Chan Tong-kai, a Hong Kong citizen, murders his girlfriend, Poon Hiu-wing, a Hong Kong citizen as well, in Taiwan and returns to Hong Kong.
    • According to the extradition agreement, it is impossible to prosecute someone for a crime committed in another country. This prompts the development of the extradition law.
    • The Security Bureau of Hong Kong proposes an extradition amendment bill.

Mar 31

  • The first protest against the proposed extradition bill takes place.

June 6

  • Professions of law march in opposition to the proposed extradition bill.
    • A silent protest march to the Hong Kong government’s headquarters is staged by legal professionals dressed in black, which reminds people of funeral attire.
    • “The extradition bill will be a devastating blow to Hong Kong’s autonomy and the Basic Law. We firmly demand that Carrie Lam, the chief executive, and John Lee, the secretary of security, withdraw the bill.”

June 9

  • Around one million residents, organizers of anti-extradition law protest estimate, take to the streets.
    • The largest demonstration since the 1997 handover, larger than the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations and the 2003 Hong Kong 1 July marches.

June 12

  • For the first time during the anti-extradition law rally, police use tear gas against protesters. People attempting to enter a building to escape the tear gas fired by the police outside become jammed in rotating doors and sustain injuries.

June 15

  • The Hong Kong government announces its intention to compel a vote on the extradition bill.
  • The first death related to the Hong Kong protests occurs—a man dressed in a yellow raincoat falls to his death while calling for the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill. He demands that the extradition bill be completely withdrawn, that injured student demonstrators be released, that the “rioter” label be removed from protesters, and that Carrie Lam resign as chief executive. Following his death, a yellow raincoat becomes a symbol of the demonstrator’s sacrifice.

June 16

  • Around 2 million “plus one” Hong Kong residents, organizers estimate, take to the streets.
    • The largest rally in Hong Kong’s history
    • The “plus one” is in remembrance of the protester who died the day before the rally. People begin to take to the streets in protest against the Carrie Lam government.
    • Carrie Lam delivers a statement of apology that omits any mention of the extradition bill’s withdrawal or conflicts between demonstrators and police.

June 29

  • The second suicide happens when a Hong Kong citizen leaps to her death after leaving a message on a wall.
    • “No matter how long our fight continues, we must never forget our ideology. We demand the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill, the retraction of the term “rioter”, the release of students and demonstrators who were charged, the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and action taken against the police violence. ”

July 1

  • Protesters occupy the roads surrounding the Legislative Council and demand the complete withdrawal of the extradition bill, immediately following the morning’s ceremonial march celebrating the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China.
  • The occupation of the Legislative Council sparks debates about the demonstrators’ violence.

July 2

  • Carrie Lam announces the withdrawal of the extradition bill within the year, while citizens remain skeptical and continue to demonstrate.

July 3

  • The fourth fatality happens. She leaves a note saying that “a government not elected by the people does not respond to their demands. What Hong Kong needs is a revolution.”

July 9

  • Carrie Lam, the chief executive, states “the bill is dead,” triggering backlash from citizens who argue that does not mean the bill is completely withdrawn.

July 21

  • White terror in Yuen Long MTR Station
    • The significant turning point in the protests
    • Gangs dressed in white t-shirts attack people, including protesters returning from a peaceful demonstration, while the police stand by and a politician even greets them. This incident heightens the citizens’ fear and rage, thus intensifying the protest.

July 26

  • The first airport occupation protest—protesters occupy an airport to call attention to Hong Kong’s situation among international visitors.

Aug 5

  • Across Hong Kong, clashes between demonstrators and police occur. Over a hundred rounds of tear gas are said to have been fired during the crash.
  • Blue Ribbon Attack: protesters are attacked by a group dressed in blue, the color associated with the pro-Beijing camp.

Aug 7

  • Laser pointer demonstration at the Hong Kong Space Museum
  • As a response to the police having arrested a student for possessing laser points and classifying them as “offensive weapons”, citizens gather outside the Hong Kong Space Museum to stage a “laser show” using laser points.

Aug 11-13

  • On August 11, a female protester is injured by a bean bag round and loses her eyesight.
  • On August 12, irate protesters occupy Hong Kong International Airport, shutting it down and canceling 979 flights.
  • Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong-based airline, dismisses two employees for delivering pro-protest speeches.
  • An online movement called #EyeforHk is actively organized to support the Hong Kong protests by submitting images covering one eye on social media platforms.

Aug 18

  • Around 1.7 million Hong Kong residents, the Civil Human Rights Front estimates, take to the streets for the re-establishment of the five demands and the solidarity among anti-extradition activists.
  • Despite the heavy downpours, the demonstration with a large crowd concludes peacefully.
  • The Chinese government deploys the People’s Liberation Army in Shenzhen, for the first time using the term “terrorism” to refer to protesters.

Aug 30

  • Joshua Wong and Agnes Chow are detained and released after being charged with organizing illegal protests. Apart from Wong and Chow, a number of pro-democracy activists and politicians are arrested ahead of a planned mass rally.
  • At the press conference after the release, the arrested directly mention the Chinese government and say, “Behind the arrest and charging of a number of major figures of the protest, there is President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Central Government.” “Despite China’s oppression of the Hong Kong people’s freedom,” Wong states, “we will never surrender.”

Aug 31

  • The police raid the Prince Edward station, arresting random individuals.
  • The incident is widely regarded as the most significant of the Hong Kong protests.
  • Police storm subway trains, pepper spraying people and beating and arresting random civilians.
  • Three individuals have gone missing. Citizens creates a memorial place to commemorate the missing and demand the police release CCTV footage, while the police release a phony CCTV clip.

September

  • Students’ protests/human chain
  • Since September, protests by students wearing school uniforms have grown in number and intensity.
  • Numerous students are arrested during the protests. 

Sept 2

  • Students from tens of universities and thousands of secondary schools declare an indefinite class boycott and strike beginning September 2.
  • The students state that they would not return to school until the government completely withdraws the extradition bill by September 13.

Sept 4

  • Lam announces the withdrawal of the extradition bill.

Sept 13

  • Lion Rock demonstration
    • Thousands of protesters assemble at the top of Lion Rock on September 13, the first day of the mid-autumn festival.

Sept 22

  • Chan Yin-lam, a 15-year-old student who went missing after protesting, is discovered naked and dead in the sea. Some suspect that she was murdered and thrown in the water.

Sept 27-30

  • With the Chinese national holiday ahead, people stage a series of large demonstrations.
  • September 27
    • Protesters demonstrate to stand in solidarity with political activists detained in San Uk Ling Holding Centre.
  • September 28,
    • Thousands of protesters gather to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Umbrella Movement and stage a laser pointer demonstration.
  • September 29
    • Anti-totalitarianism demonstrations take place in fifty cities worldwide.
    • At the Hong Kong rally, violent conflicts between police and demonstrators occur. Veby Mega Indah, an Indonesian journalist, is hit by a rubber bullet and loses her sight.
  • September 30
    • Protesters hold a press conference
    • Human chain protest at the harbor
    • Student strikes

Oct 1

  • Thousands march in mourning on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
  • Mass rallies take place throughout the city, expressing condolences for the death of democracy. The police ban all demonstrations and attempt to repress them with 6,000 police officers.
  • A police officer shoots an 18-year-old student at a close distance, injuring him near his heart.
  • Three days later, the authorities charge the injured student with rioting, which carries a potential sentence of ten years in prison.

Oct 4

  • The anti-mask law(Emergency Regulations) proposed.
  • The government has enacted the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation, which takes effect on October 5, under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, which dates all the way back to the colonial era. The emergency regulation empowers the chief executive to issue regulations without the approval of the legislative council on certain occasions.
  • The Face Covering Regulation, which is the first regulation based on the Emergency Regulation Ordinance, bans the wearing of face masks in public areas.

Oct 10

  • Sonia Ng, a student of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, makes an accusation against the Hong Kong police at the San Uk Ling Holding Centre of sexual assault.

Oct 16

  • Jimmy Sham, convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, is seriously injured after being attacked by a group of men armed with iron hammers.

Oct 21

  • Hong Kong police fire a water cannon filled with blue-dyed liquid at a mosque in central Kowloon.
  • Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s executive leader, visits the mosque the following day to apologize.

Oct 23

  • Chan Tong-kai, the one who sparked the amendment to the extradition law, is released.
  • Due to Hong Kong’s territorial principles, it was difficult to charge Chan with homicide. He was merely charged with money laundering.
  • At the post-release press conference, Chan bows his head and expressed regret for the Hong Kong people.

Oct 31

  • People wear facial masks and demonstrate to call for the withdrawal of the anti-mask law.
  • Police fire tear gas towards a popular street with foreigners, which was unusual.
  • Numerous people, including foreigners, are arrested or injured by police.

Nov 8

  • Chow Tsz-lok, a Hong Kong University of Science and Technology student, has died.
  • Chow Tsz-lok dies after falling from a building while being pursued by police on November 5. This is the first time a death has been directly attributed to police brutality. The death of Chow triggers the re-radicalization of subsequent protests.

Nov 10

  • The Secretary of Food and Health is questioned about the safety of the chemical components in tear gas. Some suspect elevated levels of dioxin in tear gas.

Nov 11

  • Hong Kong traffic police fire live shots at defenseless demonstrators, injuring a man in the torso. Later, in an interview, the victim states, “A bullet cannot kill beliefs,” adding that everyone has the right to democracy and that he will also live to see Hong Kong achieve democracy.

Nov 12

  • Over 70 people are injured by tear gas at Hong Kong’s Chinese University The day’s total tear gas rounds fired is 2356. Numerous intellectuals and students condemn Hong Kong’s police brutality.

Nov 16

  • The People’s Liberation Army cleans the streets surrounding Hong Kong Baptist University.
    • Road cleaning and brick removal are conducted by units stationed near Hong Kong Baptist University.
    • This occurs following Chinese President Xi Jingping’s labeling of demonstrators as “violent criminals” and emphasis on the need to restore order.

Nov 17

  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University is attacked and surrounded for two weeks.
  • The police attempt to access the campuses of downtown universities to quell the protesters and seal the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
  • For one day on November 18, it is used 1458 tear gas, 1391 rubber rounds, 325 bean bag rounds, and 265 sponge rounds.
  • Moreover, the police arrest 16 paramedics while attempting to quell campus protests, which is criticized for “violating the international humanitarian code, which has never been heard in civilized society.”
  • People suffer from a lack of food and water on campus throughout the blockage, and some even display indications of aphasia induced by extreme stress.

Nov 18

  • The Hong Kong High Court of justice rule that the anti-mask law is unconstitutional.
    • Anderson Chow Ka-ming, a judge of the Court of First Instance, states in the 106-page judgment that “the Emergency Regulation Ordinance, insofar as it empowers the Chief Executive-in-Council to make regulations on any occasion of public danger, is incompatible with the Basic Law.” “It is excessive to give police the authority to order people to remove their masks in public areas,” he states.” This could imply that the police have no limit on the amount of authority they can exercise.”

Nov 25

  • Pro-democracy parties win by a landslide in Hong Kong’s district council elections.
    • Over 2.94 million people vote, accounting for 71.2 percent of the population, the highest turnout in Hong Kong’s history.
    • The pro-democracy camp gains 388 of 452 seats in 18 districts, while the pro-Chinese camp win only 59 seats—the pro-democracy movement’s first landslide victory.
    • Observers say the outcome was influenced by the strong engagement of young voters between the ages of 18 and 35.
    • The election is critical since it represents an interim assessment of Carrie Lam’s performance as Chief Executive and a vote of confidence in anti-extradition demonstrations.

Nov 27

  • US President Donald Trump signs the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act
    • The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act contains provisions determining whether to maintain commercial advantages in Hong Kong following an annual examination of the human rights situation in Hong Kong.
    • The bill, which was voted almost unanimously in both Houses, operates as a burden in US-China trade negotiations, but it is expected to exert pressure on China to maintain the “One Country, Two Systems” for Hong Kong through commerce.

Nov 29

  • The police force at Hong Kong Polytechnic University is withdrawn.
    • The police retreat from Hong Kong Polytechnic University after a 13-day blockade. Following the lift, over a thousand people, including over three hundred underage kids, exit the campus.

Dec 2

  • Yuli Riswati, an Indonesian migrant who acts as a citizen journalist covering Hong Kong demonstrations, is deported.
    • While the immigration claimed Riswati’s visa expiration as the reason for her arrest, she have contracted a two-year employment and it is common practice for an employer to request an extension of an employee’s visa. It is widely believed that her deportation is being carried out in order to repress supporting Hong Kong protests.

Dec 8

  • The Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women states in the press conference that 67 people experienced sexual violence in relation to the Hong Kong protests, according to their online survey.

2020

Feb 1

  • Following the demonstration to commemorate the five-month anniversary of the Taikoo attack, activists decide to temporarily suspend demonstrations.

May 8

  • A scuffle breaks out among lawmakers over the election of the Legislative Council’s chairperson.

May 28

  • By a nearly unanimous vote, the National People’s Congress passes the national security law for Hong Kong, prohibiting secession, subversion, terrorism, and foreign interference and establishing an executive agency in Hong Kong.

June 4

  • Thousands gather in Victoria Park for the annual candlelight memorial in memory of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre victims.

June 30

  • The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress unanimously passes and President Xi Jinping signs the national security law for Hong Kong.

July 1

  • The national security law for Hong Kong goes into effect.

July 11-12

  • Over 600,000 Hong Kong voters in 18 districts cast their ballots in the primaries of the democratic camp to choose candidates to run for the Legislative Council election.

July 29

  • Tony Chung is arrested for violating a national security law.
  • The Hong Kong government enforces the dining ban policy in all restaurants in Hong Kong.

Aug 2

  • The election for the Legislative Council, slated for September 6, is postponed for a year.

Aug 10

  • The police arrest Jimmy Lai, the founder of Next Digital, and Agnes Chow for alleged violations of the national security law, including “collusion with foreign powers” and “secession incitement.”

Aug 27

  • The Civil Human Rights Front proposes the “Black Clothes Against Police Lies” campaign. The campaign is intended to call attention to the government’s manipulation of the facts surrounding the white terror attack on the Yuen Long demonstration on July 21, 2019.

Sept 6

  • A large rally takes place to oppose the postponement of the legislative election.

Sept 23

  • Hong Kong police announce that they will assist only government-accredited media organizations, sparking outrage from the Hong Kong Journalist Association.

Oct 23-25

  • Collective global action for twelve Hong Kong residents
    • A global collective action calling for the release of twelve Hong Kong residents detained by mainland authorities as they attempt to reach Taiwan by boat seeking political asylum. Between October 23 and 25, the campaigns are held simultaneously in 32 cities worldwide.

2021

January

  • Demand for download tracing applications is increasing as a result of COVID-19, yet many citizens and restaurants oppose the requirement.
  • Even in prestigious schools, the number of students emigrating rapidly increases. Concerns and worry about the future of Hong Kong under the national security law continue to be high.

Jan 2

  • The police request that the bank accounts and credit cards of former legislator Ted Hui and his family be frozen and cancelled. Ted Hui and his family applied for asylum in late 2020 and relocated to England. Critics argue that it is a case of political intent infringing on private property, particularly in Hong Kong, which has served as a worldwide financial hub.

Jan 6

  • Thousands of police officers are mobilized to arrest 53 people on suspicion of subversion and freeze 1.6 million Hong Kong dollars.
  • The primary election for the 2020 Legislation Council election is regarded by the authorities as an act of subversion.
  • Among those arrested is a US lawyer.
  • Michael Tien, a pro-China politician, states that the government should provide a more detailed explanation for arresting 53 pro-democracy figures and that it is difficult to comprehend how holding a primary election constitutes a violation of the national security law.

Jan 9

  • Hong Kong files an international arrest warrant for Danish legislators and politicians, requesting their extradition from the Danish government.

Jan 14

  • The Washington Post reports that over 200 mobile phone devices belonging to approximately fifty pro-democracy activists and politicians arrested for alleged violations of China’s national security law have been taken away and sent to mainland China for investigation. The police make no comment on the report.

Jan 15

  • The US government impose sanctions on six Chinese and Hong Kong officials in response to the mass arrest of pro-democracy activists and politicians.
  • The Hong Kong government is requiring 180,000 public officers to sign a loyalty oath within four weeks and has warned them that they will face penalties if they violate the oath. The number of public officials resigning continues to rise.

Jan 16

  • The national security director states that regardless of Hong Kong’s existing legislation, the police can gather communication information under the national security law.

Jan 22

  • The EU parliament adopts a resolution condemning China’s government for its crackdown on the democratic opposition in Hong Kong.
  • A pro-government lawmaker presents a bill mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in every classroom in Hong Kong to monitor teachers, prompting considerable criticism.

Jan 26

  • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology suspends the president and vice president of the student union for a semester and orders them to conduct 75 hours of campus service for arranging a memorial event for Chow Tsz-lok, who fell to his death during a demonstration.

February

  • Continuous increase in the extent of surveillance and control over the media.
  • Continuous censorship and program cancellations following the change of leadership at public broadcaster RTHK
  • A deputy secretary for the Civil Service with no prior media experience is appointed as the executive of RTHK.
  • Hong Kong plummets from 18th place in 2002 to 80th place in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

Feb 3

  • Hong Kong plunges to 87th place in the annual democracy index of the Economist Intelligent Unit as a result of China’s tightening control. Hong Kong drops 12 positions from the previous year and is now ranked in the middle-low of 167 countries.
  • The democracy rank of Hong Kong is lower than that of Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific region. (In 2020, Korea was ranked 23rd.)
  • 97 people are arrested for alleged violations of the national security law.
  • Lau Chi-pang, a pro-government politician, argues that since the Hong Kong people are ignorant and have a limited understanding of international affairs, they must be educated about national security beginning in childhood.

Feb 7

  • A radio personality is arrested on charges of seditious intent.

Feb 10

  • The first prosecution under the national security law is heard without a jury by three judges appointed for national security cases. The trial, critics argue, contradicts Hong Kong’s common law traditions, undermining the judicial system.
  • A 16-year-old student pleads guilty to rioting, making him the youngest defendant who admits rioting. He was only 14 years old at the time of his arrest.

Feb 19

  • Twelve individuals are arrested and charged with rioting near Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November 2019.

Feb 24

  • Despite a substantial budget deficit, the Hong Kong government allocates HK $8 billion to national security and HK $25 billion to the police force. The budget for the police force continues to grow.
  • In the second half of 2020, more than 1,400 students dropped out of secondary school. It is a 23 percent rise over the previous year. Government intervention and enforcement of the national security law have a direct impact on the increase in students who emigrate or study abroad.

Feb 27

  • The Department of Justice re-appeal the cases of individuals who were arrested for rioting but found not guilty. Individuals who have been acquitted or condemned to a lesser punishment are increasingly being reintroduced by the government in order to inflict a more severe penalty.

Feb 28

  • Among the more than 50 people arrested in connection with the primary of a pro-democracy camp, 47 face charges of subversion.

Mar 1

  • A court hearing is held for 47 activists who are arrested and charged with subversion for organizing and participating in a primary election of a pro-democracy camp.
  • Foreign diplomats from consulates of England, Canada, Germany, US, Sweden, EU, Netherlands closely monitor outside the courthouse during the hearing.
  • The US and EU announce a statement calling for the immediate release of 47 pro-democracy activists.
  • The newly elected student council, elected with 98 percent of the total 4,000 votes cast, announces their general resignation before the commencement of their term due to disruptions to the university and threats against themselves and their families. “Under threat of death, we are compelled to withdraw our plank. We sincerely apologize. We were unable to bear the threat to our families’ safety.” Condemning the student council, the university announces the suspension of student union fees and the secretaries of the student council taking on jobs at the university, making the student council’s functions more difficult.
  • Raising concerns about a newly assigned executive of RTHK, Hong Kong’s public broadcasting station, imposing unfair pressure, a number of RTHK journalists and producers quit.

Mar 2

  • Between 2019 and 2020, the number of university dropouts reaches a 16-year high of over 2,000. The phenomenon reflects universities’ situation under the national security law and concerns about Hong Kong’s future.

Mar 4

  • The Heritage Foundation removed Hong Kong from its annual economic freedom index, explaining its decision that Hong Kong has become politically indistinguishable from mainland China. According to the founder of the Heritage Foundation, Hong Kong had been magical in its openness, but the freedom of Hong Kong has now weakened. Hong Kong had stayed at the top of the annual economic freedom index for 25 years from the index had started.
  • The Department of Justice files an objection to bail being granted to pro-democracy figures.
  • The Hong Kong Security Bureau announces that it has arrested a total of 100 people since the imposition of the national security law. This equates to one arrest every 2.5 days on average.

Mar 7

  • A demonstration in support of 47 pro-democracy activists and politicians takes place in Vancouver, Canada, drawing approximately 500 people. Around the world, pro-democracy marches and protests are ongoing.